Conrad field mendham



(No Model.)

0. P. MENDHAM. GAN GAP SEAMING APIARATUS.

No. 584,006. Patented June 8, 1897.

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CONRAD FIELD MENDIIAM, OF VICTORIA, CHINA.

CAN-CAP-SEAMING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 584,006, dated June 8,1897.

Application filed Septemb r 16, 1896. $eIial No. 606 032. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern-.-

Be it known that I, CONRAD FIELD MEND- HAM, a British subject, residingat Victoria, in the British Colony of Hong Kong, China, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Gan-Cap-Seaming Apparatus; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a f all, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to expanding machines or apparatus for rolling outand uniting the touching cylindrical surfaces of folded joints in tin orother sheet-metal vessels, especially the closing or sealing of caps orcoverings placed over the apertures of tins, cans, drums, and the likecontaining explosive or inflammable material and applicable also forattaching the ends to cylindrical vessels; and it consists of a seriesof tapered spindles suspended on a circular bearing or collar, actuatedby a taper-mandrel, which presses the spindles in an outward directiontoward the inner edge or jaw of a surrounding casing, thus rolling thetouching surfaces of the cap and vessel into a homogeneous and air-tightseam.

My invention and the means employed in carrying the same int-0 effectare fully described in connection with the accompanying sheet ordrawings, in which- Figure 1 is an elevation and part section of theexpanding apparatus complete, showing the mandrel pressed down againstthe spindles, forcing them outward, a cap and part of a vessel beingshown as just closed by the apparatus. Fig. 2 is a section of the lowerpart oi the same, showing the mandrel in its normal position and thespindles pressed inward to enable the caps or the ends of cans and thelike to be inserted and Withdrawn. Fig. 3 is a plan of the circularcollar on which the necks of the spindles rest; and Fig. 4 is a plan ofa loose collar or cage, which fits loosely in the outer casing,partially inclosing the lower parts of the spindles and revolves withthem to keep them at the right distance from each other and to insureaccuracy in their working. Figs. 5 and 6 are half-elevation andhalf-section of a cap used on circular holes made in sheet-metal vesselsfor filling purposes, the edges of the holes being flanged up to receivethe caps, Fig. 5 showing the cap laid. over the edge of the hole andFig. 6 the same after it has been closed and welded by my expandingapparatus. Figs. 7 and S are enlarged sections of part of the concentricjaw and loose cage and part of one of the spindles with a cap inposition in Fig. 7 ready for compressing and Fig. 8 showing the samewith the foot of the spindle tight against the jaw and the edges of thecap and turned-up edge of the vessel welded into an air-tight seam.

Any number of spindles maybe employed, but six appear to be a suitablenumber. Therefore the drawings are made in accordance therewith. InFigs. 1 and 2 only the two opposite spindles are shown, the position ofthe others being easily understood by reference to Figs. 3 and a.

A is a center mandrel, tapering, as shown, with a shank CL extending tothe upper part of the apparatus.

B B are the tapering spindles, having conical heads 12 b, the necks ofwhich bear on the circular collar G. The inner top edge of this collaris rounded to form a suitable fulcrum for the spindles.

D is a loose collar or cage with the required number of circular chasescut therein with sutficient slackness to receive the spindles, This cagefits loosely in the outer casing E and revolves with the spindles tokeep them in their respective positions.

F is a thimble surrounding the shank of the mandrel, the lower outersurface f being tapered to rest on and engage with the heads of thespindles.

G is a helical spring placed around the shank above the thimble to keepit bearing tightly on the heads of the spindles.

H is a bracket or other suitable means for supporting the apparatus insuch a position that the tins, drums, or the like to be operated uponmay be easily placed in position for that purpose.

I is a lever fulcrumed at J, by which the pressure is put on the mandrelwhile it is actuated by turning the handle K or by any other suitablecontrivance provided there for.

L is the lower part of the spindles, which as they revolve press thecylindrical metal surfaces against the inner circular surface or jaw Nof the outer casing. At the bottom of the spindles small beads M areformed for expanding the metal and forcing it up to and against theinner surface of the vessel, the lower edge of the jaw N holding theflangedup edge of the vessel while the contact is being made and a smallgroove made in the cap or cover by the pressure of the beads M.

R is a metal cap with its edge U turned over and shaped at the bottom,as shown, to allow the metal to be expanded to form the joint.

S is part of the upper side of a sheet-metal vessel with a circular holecut therein, and the edge of the hole T flanged up to receive the cap.\Vhen fastened by the apparatus, the cap and turned-up edge of the holeare compressed into a solid and air-tight seam, as shown at V, Figs. 6and S.

The respective diameters of the spindles and mandrel are so arrangedthat when in operation they will rotate in a perfectly vertical positionand will advance in their planetary motion without any grinding orfriction.

The various parts of the apparatus being provided and fixed in theirrespective positions, as described, their operation is as follows: Thebracket II is attached to a standard or other support. Then, by means ofthe lever I, the circular foot N is brought down on the surface of thevessel, and then, by simultaneously turning the handle K and pressingthe lever I, the mandrel A is brought against the tapered faces of thespindles B, which are spread outward by the internal pressure, the feetL engaging the metal edges TU between the feet and the jaw N, unitingthem in a solid air-tight seam V, while the beads M will expand theinner face of the cap and press it against the lower part of theturned-up flange T, forming a small groove on the inside and aprojection on the outside, which by metallic contact will affordadditional security against leakage from the inside. Vhcn a cap has beenfastened, the lever I is raised, which lifts the mandrel to the positionshown in Fig. 2, the action of the spring G on the heads of the spindlesZ) making the feet to converge when liberated from the press ure of themandrel, thus allowing the cap and vessel to be released from theapparatus and another in sorted, when the process is repeated.

Having thus described my invention and the manner in which it is putinto operation,

I declare that what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, with a stationary casing provided with a circularjaw; of spindles arranged inside the said casin g, and a depressible andrevoluble mandrel o pcratin g to move the said spindles toward the jaw,and to revolve them about their own axes and the axis of the saidjaw,substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with a stationary casing provided with a circularjaw; of conical spindles pivotally supported inside the said casing, anda depressible and revoluble mandrel bearing against the conical surfacesor the said spindles, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with a stationary casing provided with a circularjaw; of spindles arranged inside the casing and provided with projectingheads arranged below the said jaw. and a depressible and revolublemandrel for forcing outward and revolving the said spindles,substantially as set forth.

at. The combination, with a stationary casing provided with a circularjaw, and a collar above the jaw; of spindles provided with headspivotally supported on the upper edge of the said collar, and adepressible and revoluble mandrel for forcing outward and revolving thesaid spindles, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, with a stationary cas i ng provided with a circularjaw at its lower part; a collar above the jaw, and a cage provided withchases and arranged intermediate of the said jaw and collar; of spindlesjournaled loosely in the said chases and provided with heads pivotallysupported on the said collar; and a depressible and revoluble mandrelfor forcing outward and revolving the said spindles, substantially asset forth.

(3. The combination, with a stationarycasing provided with a circularjaw; of spindles pivotally supported inside the said casing, adepressible and revoluble mandrel bearing against the said spindlesbelow their f ulcru ms. and a spring-pressed thimble bearing against thespindles above their fulcruins and operating to move them away from thesaid jaw when the mandrel is raised, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CONRAD FIELD MENDIIAM.

\Vitnesses:

G. A. SI-IUFELDT, J. CURRIE HANsoN.

